4th of July Special Culture for the Week of June 29, 2015 by Josh Garrick

June 30 – MOVE LIVE on TOUR with Julianne and Derek Hough 

Superstar Dancers – Sister and Brother Julianne and Derek Hough will star in their own all-new dance spectacular MOVE LIVE on TOUR with sets, costumes and a cast of talented dancers. Derek, the Emmy Award winning choreographer and ‘winningest champion’ of Dancing with the Stars, and Julianne, two-time professional champion before making her feature film debut in Burlesque, will headline in performances styles ranging from ballroom and tap to salsa and hip-hop at the Dr. Phillips Center on June 30 at 7:30 pm. Visit drphillipscenter.org or call 844.513.2014

June 30 to July 31 -- Free Summer Family Programs at the Morse Museum 

Families are invited to a series of Free programs for elementary-school-age children at the Morse Museum in Winter Park. Home to the world’s largest collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, the Museum will offer child-friendly tours on Tuesdays and a film series on Fridays: On Tuesday’s Tours –June 30, July 7, 14, 21, and 28, the program includes ‘supplies needed for an art project inspired by collecting.’ Fridays will include a short film, gallery tour, and art activity on July 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31. Call 407.645.5311 x136 to reserve a place for you and your child.

July 1 at 4:30 pm – A Lawn Party with Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs   

Since we have two Mayors – one for the City of Orlando and another for Orange County, it looks like we’ll also get twice the Art as Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs offers the Inaugural Orange County Sculpture Exhibition and Ribbon-Cutting on July 1 at 4:30 pm. The exhibit will be displayed on the Orange County Administration Center’s lawn for one year, and will feature Artists including Jacob Harmeling and Chris Scala from Orlando; Jonathan Schork from St. Petersburg, FL;  and Julia Ousley from Dallas, TX. The Public is invited to join Mayor Jacobs on the lawn outside the Admin Building at 201 S. Rosalind Ave in Downtown Orlando. No ticket required. Visit ocfl.net

July 3 – The Baldwin Park Independence Day Bash 

Grab your friends, neighbors and kids to celebrate Independence Day – Baldwin Park Style.  From 5:30 to 9:30 pm on July 3 at Baldwin Park’s Village Center, the Center will come alive with over 100 participants offering fun, shopping, artisans and craftsmen, snacks and food trucks, a beer garden, face painting, and interactive activities. At the Main Stage near the lake DJ BradmasterJ will spin and intro live music from Baldwin Park's own, ROOM2Band. This FREE event ends with a spectacular choreographed fireworks show over Lake Baldwin.  

July 3 and 4 on Sanibel Island 

The Independence Day Celebration on Sanibel Island features an old-fashioned Parade starting on July 3 at 9:30 am. Parade participants treat on-lookers to candy and gifts with Free food and beverages to follow at Bailey’s and Jerry’s Shopping Centers. On July 4, festivities begin at 4 pm at The Dunes Golf & Tennis Club, with just-past-dusk-fireworks over the Sanibel Causeway. Visit fortmyers-sanibel.com

July 4 – The City of Winter Park’s 20th Annual ‘Olde Fashioned’ 4th of July

Sticking close to home is extra special this year beginning at 9 am on July 4 as Winter Park Mayor Steve Leary opens a 20th Anniversary Celebration featuring music by the Bach Festival Choir and Brass Ensemble. They’ll be joined by Central Florida Community Arts, Clydesdale horse-drawn wagon rides, Orlando Cloggers, the Rockin’ Roadster Road Show and more. Free hot dogs, watermelon and water will available, and the Morse Museum will join the celebration with its annual Independence Day Open House providing Free admission from 9:30 am to 4 pm. Call 407-599-3463 or visit cityofwinterpark.org

July 4 in Orlando’s Famous Theme Parks … and Downtown 

If your family can NOT get enough fireworks, Orlando’s Theme Parks are the place for you. With most festivities included in the regular admission price, July 4 at SeaWorld features extra fireworks as Sea World celebrates its own 50th Anniversary. Visit seaworldorlando.com

July 4 at the Parks at Universal Orlando includes A Cinesphere Spectacular, their end-of-day show combining high-def projections, lasers, pyrotechnics, orchestral music, and film-clips projected inside 30-foot floating spheres. Visit universalorlando.com

Walt Disney World, already known for fantastic fireworks 365 days of the year, offers the biggest fireworks of the year at the Magic Kingdom. The Holiday-inspired IllumiNations: Reflections of the Earth is offered at Epcot; along with special July 4th fireworks at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Visit disneyworld.com

Downtown Orlando’s festivities include the memorable Fireworks at the Fountain celebrating July 4 with a Free fireworks display originating over the beautiful Lake Eola fountain and seen from anywhere around Lake Eola. Visitors are invited to pack picnic baskets for Free activities and entertainment at Lake Eola from 4 to 10 pm. Visit cityoforlando.net

July 4 in Historic St. Augustine

The 4th of July Concert & Fireworks in St. Augustine is a Free concert by the All Star Orchestra in the historic Plaza de la Constitucion in the heart of the Old City. The concert begins at 6 pm and is followed by a huge fireworks display over the Castillo de San Marcos beginning at 9:30 pm. Visitors will ‘feel the history’ as they view the fireworks ‘bursting in air’ along the historic bay-front from the Castillo to the Bridge of Lions. Visit floridashistoriccoast.com

July 4 in the Florida Keys 

4th of July fireworks and festivities are presented throughout the Keys on July 4 including fireworks at Blackwater Sound on Key Largo (best viewing at Mile Markers 103-104. The Big Pine & Lower Keys July 4 Celebration will take place at the Pine Community Park on Mile Marker 30, offering live music, family activities, and fireworks at 9 pm. All Free. Visit fla-keys.com/calendarofevents

July 4 & 5 – Independence Day with the Weeki Wachee Mermaids

The Legendary Sirens perform in a nostalgic show that promises to take us back to the early years of Weeki Wachee Springs by the ‘former mermaids’ who created the magic. Floridians know about the town with live mermaids, and these mermaids from the 1950's to the 70's will perform their magic at 12 noon and 2 pm on July 4 and 5. While there, your family can swim in Florida's only spring-fed water-park along with flume rides, the Lil' Mates Cove, the ‘Little Mermaid Show,’ and the lazy river open daily through August 16. Visit weekiwachee.com 

July 4, 5 & 6 in Winter Haven – Red, Brick & Boom will be presented on July 4, 5 and 6 by LegoLand Florida with Park Visitors wearing special 3D glasses that turn the fireworks display into millions of exploding BRICKS. (included in admission) Visit LEGOLAND.com 
 
July 5 in Daytona – The Coke Zero 400 is the popular July 4th tradition in Daytona Beach. There is nothing like a fireworks display after a 400-mile car race, and this year’s event, celebrated on July 5, will see the 160 lap classic followed by one of the country’s largest fireworks celebrations. Tickets $45 to $158.99; children 12 and under $10. Visit daytonainternationalspeedway.com

July 6 -- The Girls’ Club from the Orlando Philharmonic 

Back by popular demand, an All-Woman team of Orlando Philharmonic musicians will present a concert of works composed by and performed by women, including Fanny Mendelssohn, Amy Beach, Libby Larson, and Billie Holiday. The concert is scheduled for July 6 at 7 pm at the Plaza Live Theatre in East Orlando, currently under-going renovations as the new home of the Philharmonic. Call 407.770.0071 or visit orlandophil.org 

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators